Vital Voids - Cavities and Holes in Mesoamerican Material Culture (Hardcover)

The Resurrection Plate, a Late Classic Maya dish, is decorated with an arresting scene. The Maize God, assisted by two other deities, emerges reborn from a turtle shell. At the center of the plate, in the middle of the god's body and aligned with the point of emergence, there is a curious sight: a small, neatly drilled hole. Art historian Andrew Finegold explores the meanings attributed to this and other holes in Mesoamerican material culture, arguing that such spaces were broadly understood as conduits of vital forces and material abundance, prerequisites for the emergence of life. Beginning with, and repeatedly returning to, the Resurrection Plate, this study explores the generative potential attributed to a wide variety of cavities and holes in Mesoamerica, ranging from the perforated dishes placed in Classic Maya burials, to caves and architectural voids, to the piercing of human flesh. Holes are also discussed in relation to fire, based on the common means through which both were produced: drilling. Ultimately, by attending to what is not there, Vital Voids offers a fascinating approach to Mesoamerican cosmology and material culture.

General

Imprint:	University Of Texas Press
Country of origin:	United States
Release date:	May 2021
First published:	2021
Authors:	Andrew Finegold
Dimensions:	254 x 178 x 20mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Hardcover
Pages:	184
ISBN-13:	978-1-4773-2243-7
Categories:	Books > Arts & Architecture > History of art / art & design styles > General Books > Humanities > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Books > Humanities > History > American history > General Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > History > American history > General Books > History > History of specific subjects > Social & cultural history Books > History > World history > 500 to 1500 Promotions
LSN:	1-4773-2243-4
Barcode:	9781477322437

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